We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service 2025 Grant Memorandum of Understanding

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This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a contractual agreement between Youth Service America (YSA) and the School/Organization (Grantee) listed below for the 2025 We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day Grant.


Both YSA and Grantee enter into this agreement as follows: Both parties can make changes to this MOU in consultation with the other party. An addendum to this agreement can be written and signed to document approved changes. For any questions or clarifications, contact Scott Ganske, Vice President of Education, at sganske@ysa.org. This agreement must be completed by an authorized representative of the Grantee organization/school.

YSA agrees to administer the following benefits:


  1. Disburse funds to Grantee after YSA receives the signed MOU and approves the budget;
  2. Provide planning resources and training via YSA.org/911Day, a program-specific grantee resource center, the YSA Knowledge Center, and mandatory Grantee orientation;
  3. Provide custom technical assistance upon request and as feasible to support Grantee;
  4. Provide a customizable media release template to use when engaging local media in service activities and templates for outreach to public and elected officials;
  5. Provide a customizable photo release form for volunteers and project participants;
  6. Provide YSA, AmeriCorps, and 9/11 Day logos and social media handles;
  7. Provide project reporting templates and resources/information to support volunteer tracking and registration;
  8. Add Grantee's name to YSA.org/911Day; and
  9. Consider Grantee activities for inclusion in YSA-led communication initiatives.

 

Grantee agrees to fulfill the following requirements: 

  1. Watch the 20-minute mandatory Grantee orientation session;
  2. Submit a budget for review (download and use this template) and approval with this MOU. If plans change significantly from those approved, Grantee agrees to seek prior approval in writing from Scott Ganske, Vice President of Education, at sganske@ysa.org before proceeding;
  3. Engage at least 100 youth volunteers (ages 5-25) for each $1,000 in grant funds in 9/11 Day of Service activities;
  4. Make substantive effort to engage youth who are not usually asked to serve and/or who face systemic barriers to participation;
  5. Complete and submit plans and/or reports as requested by August 1, September 15, and September 30.
  6. Brand all Day of Service print and digital/online promotional materials with the YSA, AmeriCorps, and 9/11 Day of Service logos (in addition to your logo).
  7. Make at least one public social media post (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter/X) by no later than September 15, 2025, highlighting the awarded service project and tagging both YSA and AmeriCorps and using #911Day.

Reporting Requirements


Grantee must submit a 9/11 Day activity registration by 11:59pm grantee time on Friday, August 1, 2025. This report will include: project date, time, a brief summary of the possible activity, project location, projected number of volunteers, plans related to elected officials/VIPs and publicizing the activity, and any AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps Senior participation plans.             


Grantee must submit a 9/11 Day snapshot report by 11:59pm grantee time on Monday, September 15, 2025. This report will include: any changes or updates to the details shared in the activity registration (August 1 report), including an actual number of volunteers, and a list of all elected officials/VIPs in attendance.


Grantee must submit a 9/11 Day final report by 11:59pm grantee time on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This report will include: 

  • Any changes or updates to the details shared in the snapshot report (September 16 report), including updates to number of volunteers and a list of all elected officials/VIPs in attendance; links to any media coverage of the event; any additional success stories or powerful anecdotes you would like to share from the event; 

  • At least 3 photographs from the day of the event; action-oriented photos are best. Parents or guardians for any participants under 18 years old must sign a photo release form authorizing YSA and AmeriCorps to use your photographs; 

  • Written evidence of project leaders/facilitators and volunteer participation and number of hours served. Approved documents include sign in sheets, copies of pre and post surveys, or reports from school attendance or volunteer management system. These documents must contain one of the following: 

    • Volunteer full name;  

    • Volunteer unique identification number (such as a student ID number);

    • Volunteer full first name and last initial;

  • A detailed breakdown of expenditures.

The following are optional but strongly encouraged:

  1. Publicize service activities in local media and provide YSA with copies and/or notification of any media coverage. When submitting media coverage, please identify the name, date, city, and state of the publication;
  2. Contact and invite local public or elected officials, community leaders, and other important decision-makers to participate in the activities.

Additional terms and conditions of this agreement include:

  1. Acknowledge receipt of Appendix A (page 2 of the MOU) by submitting the completed MOU;
  2. Grant funds may only be used for costs associated with project supplies, volunteer event costs, promotional materials, and other expenses related to the planning and implementation of grant activities;
  3. Grant funds may NOT be used to fund any staff salaries or benefits, or intern/volunteer stipends. Funds may not be used to purchase expensive, one-use items or equipment, or contracts with individuals;
  4. Grant funds may not be used for any AmeriCorps prohibited activity listed under Title 45, Section 2520.65 of the Code of Federal Regulations (including, but not limited to: lobbying, partisan political activities, and voter registration) or any activity prohibited by Trump Administration Executive Orders (including, but not limited to: DEI and gender ideology);
  5. If excess funds remain as determined by submitted finance reports, YSA reserves the right to request a portion of funds back and the grantee will comply;
  6. Grantee will track all expenses and permit YSA and YSA’s auditors to access the Grantee's records and financial statements as necessary for YSA to meet the requirements;
  7. If the Grantee cannot carry through with participation in this program, Grantee must contact Scott Ganske, Vice President of Education, at sganske@ysa.org immediately to make arrangements to return the balance of their funds;
  8. YSA reserves the right to terminate the grant and to request the return of grant funds (in full or in part), if:
    • Grantee does not act in good faith to meet MOU requirements, terms, or conditions;
    • Grantee fails to complete required reports;
    • Grantee is unresponsive to communication from YSA; or 
    • In consultation with YSA, it is determined that the Grantee cannot fulfill program goals. 
  9. If the Grantee does not fulfill the obligations of the program, or if YSA terminates the agreement per the circumstances listed above, the Grantee agrees to return grant funds to YSA; 
  10. YSA retains the usage rights to all images, program reports, and information submitted to YSA;YSA reserves the right to publicize non-identifying information (such as first name, city, state, and activity descriptions) with news media and for other promotional purposes, such as websites, blogs, social media, etc. In specific instances and upon request, YSA may share the Grantee's contact information with news media to promote the importance and impact of youth service.

INDEMNIFICATION

Grantee agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the Corporation for National and Community Service dba AmeriCorps, YSA, and their directors, officers, employees, affiliates, and agents harmless for all claims, liabilities, damages, and costs, including, without limitation, legal expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with the injury to, or death of any person or damage to property caused by, arising out of, or resulting from the execution of the service project contemplated by this MOU. 

 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Grantee agrees and acknowledges that in no event shall the Corporation for National and Community Service dba AmeriCorps, Youth Service America, their directors, officers, employees, affiliates, or agents be liable for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any kind arising from or relating to the service project contemplated by this MOU, even if YSA is expressly advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall YSA's liability under this MOU for damages exceed the amount of the grant under this MOU. Some jurisdictions may not enforce such limitations; therefore, this provision is enforceable to the full extent permitted by applicable law. 

(Please note: Payments can only be made to a school or organization. Do not write your own name here.)
(Individual who should receive the eCheck payment via email.)
##-####### (For example, YSA's is 52-1500870.)
The MOU must be signed by an authorized representative of your organization or school. 

You will electronically sign this MOU after submitting. Your electronic signature will serve as your organization or school's agreement to the MOU.
This will only be used by YSA staff for time sensitive issues/questions.
Michael Minks
Appendix A

YSA is required by the AmeriCorps FY 2025 General Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions to provide you with the following information. You must click the "Acknowledge Receipt of Appendix A & Submit" button below to complete this agreement. Please carefully review this information.

The 2025 We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day Grant is funded by a grant received by Youth Service America from the Corporation for National and Community Service (dba AmeriCorps) to support the 2024–2025 September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance program described in the approved program narrative and budget.

Federal Rules, Regulations, and Certifications

The following requirements apply to 9/11 Day program activities, direct support, and matching support for the 2024 program year:
  1. Federal funds must be identified in accounts and financial records and awardees will maintain adequate internal controls to ensure the management of federal awards is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 
  2. This award is authorized by and subject to The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) (NCSA) and/or the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.) (DVSA), the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (FGCAA), 31 U.S.C. §§6301-6308, and AmeriCorps’ implementing regulations in 45 CFR Chapter XII and/or XXV. Recipients must comply with the requirements of the NCSA and/or DVSA and AmeriCorps’ implementing regulations, as applicable.
  3. This award is subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards located at 2 CFR Part 200 and AmeriCorps' implementing regulation at 2 CFR Part 2205.

(iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN): 23BIBDC001


(iv) Federal Award Date (see §200.39 Federal award date): 7/18/2024


(v) Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date: 7/1/2025 and 9/30/2025

(vi) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action (pending approval of subrecipient's budget): $
(vi-a) Total Amount of Match Funds awarded by this action (pending approval of subrecipient's budget): $
(vii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient (pending approval of subrecipient's budget): $

(viii) Total Amount of the Federal Award: $195,000


(ix) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA): This award approves funding for the 2024–2025 September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance program described in the approved program narrative and budget.


(x) Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official:

  • Federal awarding agency: Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Name of pass-through entity: Youth Service America (YSA)
  • Contact information for awarding official: Stacy Bishop, Senior Grants Officer, at 202-606-6962 or Cenobia Adams, Program Officer, at 202-355-2188. Due to recent staffing reductions at AmeriCorps, the best way to contact AmeriCorps officials is to e-mail MidAtlantic@americorps.gov.

(xi) CFDA Number: 94.012


(xii) Identification of whether the award is R&D: This award is not R&D.


(xiii) Indirect Cost Rate for the Federal Award: 10.00%

Contact Information